April/May 2026


www.nitravelnews.com


UPDATES | 9


AHEAD of the Oscars Award Ceremony, Aer Lingus has rolled out the red carpet for the family of Best Actress nominee,


Aer Lingus Rolls Out Red Carpet For Best Actress Nominee’s Family


er Experience & Insights at airBaltic, said: “By adding AirMall to our new Skynet plat- form, we’re giving passengers a new way to shop in flight from their favourite brands. With curated products, home delivery, and


Shop in the Skies as airBaltic Introduce New Shopping Experience LATVIAN airline airBaltic has partnered


with InterLnkd to integrate AirMall into its Skynet onboard Wi-Fi portal, becoming the first Starlink-connected airline to launch an inflight shopping mall experience for its passengers. AirMall by InterLnkd turns the carri- er’s Wi-Fi portal into an airline-branded re-


Kuzmina, VP


airBaltic Club points earned on every purchase, AirMall is an important step in building on our investment in inflight Wi-Fi and expand- ing what we can offer our customers onboard.” Barry Klipp, CEO of InterLnkd, added:


tail channel on passengers’ own devices, con- necting travellers to 20,000+ brands in the air with zero onboard stock or crew involvement. With the addition of AirMall, InterLnkd


joins a select group of Skynet partners includ- ing Booking.com, SIXT and GetYourGuide. Natālija


Custom-


“airBaltic rolling out AirMall on a Starlink-ena- bled fleet is a clear sign that airlines are turning the connected cabin into a digital experience. We’ve built a globally scalable solu-


tion that fits seamlessly into an air- line’s


own digital and loyalty Passengers can enjoy the same conveni-


ence and choice they expect on the ground, while airlines get an engaging and practi- cal way to offset the cost of connectivity.”


ecosystem.


Jessie Buckley.


Marina and Tim Buckley and Jessie’s sister Lily departed Dublin Airport yesterday for Hollywood ahead of the 98th Academy Awards, the family boarded EI069 direct to Los Angeles. The special send off marked the beginning of a momentous journey as they travel to support Jessie at one of the most prestigious nights in global cinema Donal Moriarty,


Chief Corporate


Affairs Officer at Aer Lingus, said, “Aer Lingus takes great pride in supporting Ireland’s film talent as they make their way to Hollywood for the Academy Awards We wish Jessie, the Retirement Plan


team, and all of the Irish nominees and creatives attending this year’s awards the very best of luck.” Aer Lingus currently operates up


to six flights per week from Dublin to Los Angeles, increasing to daily service during the summer season. By 2026, Aer Lingus’ North American network will expand to 24 routes from Ireland,


connecting Ireland with North America.


including new destinations such as Pittsburgh and Raleigh-Durham, further strengthening the airline’s role in


Flight Increase from London to Barbados Expected for Winter


THE Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. has announced a significant increase in airlift from the United Kingdom this winter, as British Airways is set to expand its services to the island for the winter 2026 season.


From 25th October 2026, British Airways will introduce a new daily service from London Gatwick Airport to Bridgetown, Barbados, operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft offering a choice of three cabins on flights – Club World (Business Class), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) and World Traveller (Economy). The service will offer onward connections to Grenada, Guyana and Tobago. The new route from London Gatwick Airport will complement the airline’s existing double daily service from London Heathrow to Barbados. Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados


Etihad Airways Reinstates Refund Progressing for Passengers


Tourism Marketing Inc., Ms. Andrea


Franklin, said: “The United Kingdom remains one of our most important markets, and this expansion by British Airways is a clear reflection of the sustained robust demand for Barbados as a premier winter sun destination. Aligned with our strategic focus on strengthening airlift,


these additional services from


London significantly enhance connectivity and provide UK travellers with even greater access to experience our island’s renowned hospitality and vibrant culture.


This increased service enhances accessibility and also supports our broader tourism growth objectives. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to Barbados while creating meaningful economic opportunities for our tourism industry and our people. We are delighted to see this momentum for the winter season and extend our sincere thanks to British Airways for its continued partnership and long-standing commitment to the destination.”


Etihad Airways has confirmed that its automatic refund processing was reinstated on Monday, 9 March 2026. All eligible refunds can once again be processed directly through your original booking path.


Etihad Airways is also offering a 15% bonus for refunds processed to Etihad PayPlan (UATP).


Flights with the airline remain on a reduced schedule due to airspace closures across the Middle East.


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